Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: December 30, 1999
CONTACT: Michael Fleck 401-331-4034 ext. 44210

Media Statement Regarding Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England

Providence, RI --Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England will cease its operations as of midnight December 31, 1999.

From December 30 at 5:00 PM through December 31 at 12 midnight, HPHC-NE health center patients should call their health centers as usual. The policy remains the same, in a life-threatening situation, members should call 911 or seek care at the nearest hospital emergency room.

HPHC-NE subscriber Member's coverage will terminate at midnight, December 31, 1999. Former HPHC-NE members should contact their providers at their new practice locations. Beginning December 31 at midnight, members can call a newly established Call Center at 800- 444-1210. Due to the New Year's holiday, the Call Center will be an answering service that will provide information about where former HPHC-NE providers will be practicing, and serve as a referral source for information from other state agencies.

The Call Center has been established to give HPHC-NE members access to continued customer service for a period of time. The Call Center will handle all aspects of business that will need to be addressed after January 1, 2000. Main telephone numbers at all health centers (Providence, Lincoln, Warwick, Plainville and Swansea) will automatically be forwarded into the Call Center.

The Call Center will be staffed by HPHC-NE employees including physicians, and other clinicians, mental health and substance abuse professionals and administrative employees. These professionals will help to ensure a smooth transition of medical care for former HPHC-NE patients. The Call Center will be responding to questions relating to customer service, e.g. location of provider, outstanding patient claims, medical records, mental and substance abuse, creditor inquires.